BOARD MATTER
Supervisor Linda Smyth

January 24, 2005

Mr. Chairman: The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department commemorated the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Merrifield Fire and Rescue Station, Station Number 30, this past Saturday, January 22, 2005. The Station actually opened on December 10, 1979. The Merrifield Fire and Rescue Station is located at 8739 Lee Highway, which as you know, is also the address of the Providence District Supervisor's Office.

The commemoration of the 25th anniversary included the dedication of Tower Ladder 430 in memory of Captain Wilfred Seng, former shift commander at Merrifield, who died in the line of duty in 2003. Tower Ladder 430 is one of the newest aerial ladders in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's fleet. Built in 2004, it has an elevating platform that can reach 95 feet in any direction and is capable of flowing 2,000 gallons of water per minute. The vehicle also carries a full complement of tools to support firefighting and rescue operations.

The Merrifield Fire and Rescue Station is staffed 24 hours a day by 11 firefighters and paramedics. Station 30 is also headquarters for the shift Deputy Chief of Operations. Additionally, the Station is home to a Basic Life Support (BLS) Ambulance, Paramedic Engine, Truck Company, and the Department's field command vehicles.

Clearly, the Merrifield Fire and Rescue Station, Station Number 30, has had a great impact on the day-to-day lives of many of the citizens in Fairfax County. Therefore, I move that we recognize the Merrifield Fire and Rescue Station for their 25 years of service to the community and the County at our February 7, 2005 meeting.